Head protection apparatus

ABSTRACT

An inflatable head-protection member comprises first and second ear-protective elements connected together by a web element, at least one of the ear-protective elements having extending therefrom substantially orthogonally to the web element a strap element having adjustable connection means to the other ear-protective element or to a corresponding strap element extending therefrom, the elements being air-inflatable and in mutual communication and having an inflation tube for insertion in the user&#39;s mouth and an inflation/deflation control means.

[0001] This invention relates to head protection apparatus, particularlybut not exclusively to helmets for recreational or emergency use, suchas for example marine safety helmets for use by rescue personnel, coastguards and the like.

[0002] The object of the invention is primarily to enable a safetyhelmet of the type described to be easily size-adjusted so that a givenhelmet shell can fit different sized users' heads with comfort whilestill providing the required positional stability on the head. However,a subsidiary object is to provide a protective head-covering forlight-duty use.

[0003] In connection with the primary objective it is proposed toprovide a helmet shell with an inflatable liner. Such liners are howeveralready known in principle, for example from U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,889,which describes a safety helmet having an inflatable liner positionedbetween the helmet shell and an inner liner cushion and extending in usefrom the back of the head around each side towards the temples of theuser, above the ears, an inflation port being provided at the rear partof the liner.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, an inflatablehead-protection member comprises first and second ear-protectiveelements connected together by a web element, at least one of theear-protective elements having extending therefrom substantiallyorthogonally to the web element a strap element having adjustableconnection means to the other ear-protective element or to acorresponding strap element extending therefrom, the elements beingair-inflatable and in mutual communication and having an inflation tubefor insertion in the user's mouth and an inflation/deflation controlmeans.

[0005] By “substantially orthogonally” is meant a relative dispositionof the respective elements whereby, should the web element extend in usearound the occipital region, the strap element or elements would extendaround the upper anterior region of the skull, the respective elementsthus subtending an angle of approximately 90° at each ear-protectiveelement. The inflation/deflation control means comprises a controlvalve, preferably manually operable, for example of the type including apush-button or other depressible or squeezable element operative againsta resilient bias to open the valve for inflation or deflation purposes.

[0006] The invention as described may be used as such and when inflatedas a light-duty protective head covering although, preferably, one ormore additional finger or link elements extend from median positionsalong the web element and have connection means, optionally removable oradjustable, to the strap element or elements to provide furtherprotection to the top and upper posterior regions of the skull. However,the head-protection member preferably includes means for removableattachment within the rigid shell of a safety helmet, whereby the fit ofthe shell can be adjusted according to the extent of inflation. Theinflated elements also provide a cushioning effect against impactforces. Preferably, the elements contain a resilient orpressure-deformable material such as an open-cell or foamed plasticsmaterial, possibly loosely packed, partly to enhance the cushioningeffect, partly to maintain the shape and partly to reduce the internalvolume of the inflatable elements to render them easier to inflate.

[0007] The or any additional finger or link elements may be detachablefrom the web element but preferably are integrally formed therewith andin inflatable communication therewith.

[0008] The respective elements of the head-protection member maycomprise discrete chambers or pockets containing a resilient orpressure-deformable material, thereby preventing the material (if inparticulate, for example spherical, form) from becoming unevenlydistributed, the separate compartments or chambers being nevertheless inmutual inflatable communication.

[0009] The ear-protective elements preferably define acentrally-disposed aperture to avoid the ears being blocked or masked toincident noise. Conveniently, grommets can be used in conjunction withsuch apertures and corresponding apertures formed in the shell to locateand attach the liner to the shell at the position of the ear-protectiveelements.

[0010] The head-protection member is preferably formed from a vinylplastics material having a fabric covering. The adjustable connectionmeans may comprise tabs of hook-and-loop fastener material which can bepassed through ring or slot members and self-secured. The inflation tubeis preferably attached to the web element in proximity to one of theear-protective elements, in order to be conveniently disposed forinsertion in the mouth.

[0011] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way ofexample with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which

[0012]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a head protector according to theinvention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a cross-section along the line II-II of FIG. 1; and

[0014]FIG. 3 is a cross-section showing the use of a grommet forattaching the head protector to a helmet shell.

[0015] Referring firstly to FIG. 1, the head protector, shown generallyat 10, has earpieces 11, 12 each formed with a respective aperture 11 a,12 a and connected together by a web element 13. Earpiece 11 has a strapmember 14 extending therefrom at approximately 90° to web element 13,the strap 14 terminating in a strip of “Velcro” hook-and-loop fastenermaterial 15. The other earpiece 12 has fastened thereto a clasp 16 orbuckle for engaging in use with the fastener material 15. Extending fromthe web element 13 are finger members 17, 18, 19 each terminating inrespective strips of “Velcro” fastening material 20, 21, 22 forattachment to corresponding clasp or buckle elements 23, 24, 25 attachedto the member 14. The various parts 13 to 15 and 17 to 19 are ininflatable communication with each other and, for the purpose ofinflation and deflation, an inflation tube 26 is attached to the webelement 13 in proximity to earpiece 11 and has a mouth piece 27 at thedistal end thereof. The inflation tube is provided with amanually-operable valve element (not shown) which can be opened to allowinflation or deflation, as required, to take place.

[0016] Referring now to FIG. 2, which is a cross-section through the webelement 13, it is seen that the element consists of a base 28 and acover 29 forming a sealed tube which contains a foamed plastics material30 such as an open-celled foam formed from a polyurethane. The base 28extends on either side of the cover to form respective side flanges 31,32. The tube is formed from a vinyl plastics material and is coveredwith a fabric material for comfort and to improve the appearance.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 3, a rubber or other resilient plastics grommet33 has a peripheral groove 34 which receives an ear piece apertureformed in the rigid helmet shell 35 and also the annular edge definingone of the apertures 11 a, 12 a, formed in the ear pieces. Asillustrated, the flange 31 is shown engaged with the shell 35 in thegroove 34, thereby maintaining the liner and shell in correctregistration for the ears when the helmet is in use.

[0018] In order to prepare the apparatus for use, the fasteningmaterials 15 and 20 to 22 are initially engaged in their respectiveclasps, the fastening material providing for adjustment of sizeaccording to the size of the user's head or of the helmet shell. If theapparatus is to be fitted within a helmet shell, it may be securedtherein by further strips of “Velcro” fastening material, not shown. Theinflatable elements are then inflated via the inflation tube to providea comfortable fit and, when it is desired to remove the helmet from thehead, the apparatus may be deflated to allow easy removal. The apparatusprovides resilient cushioning for the sides of the head around the ears,around the occipital region and around the upper anterior region of theskull and renders a one-size shell comfortable for use irrespective ofthe size of the user's head.

1. An inflatable head-protection member comprising first and secondear-protective elements connected together by a web element, at leastone of the ear-protective elements having extending therefromsubstantially orthogonally to the web element a strap element havingadjustable connection means to the other ear-protective element or to acorresponding strap element extending therefrom, the elements beingair-inflatable and in mutual communication and having an inflation tubefor insertion in the user's mouth and an inflation/deflation controlmeans.
 2. A member according to claim 1, in which theinflation/deflation control means comprises a manually-operable controlvalve.
 3. A member according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the memberincludes one or more additional finger or link elements extending frommedian positions along the web element and having connection means tothe strap element or elements.
 4. A member according to claim 3, inwhich the additional elements are removable or adjustable with respectto the strap element or elements.
 5. A member according to any precedingclaim, further including means for removable attachment within the rigidshell of a safety helmet.
 6. A member according to any preceding claim,in which the elements contain a resilient or pressure-deformablematerial.
 7. A member according to any of claims 3 to 6, in which theadditional finger or link elements are integrally formed with the webelement and are in inflatable communication therewith.
 8. A memberaccording to any preceding claim, in which at least the respectiveelements comprise discrete chambers or pockets containing a resilient orpressure-deformable material.
 9. A member according to any precedingclaim, in which the ear-protective elements define a centrally-disposedaperture.
 10. A helmet for recreational or emergency use and comprisingan outer shell having a liner comprising an inflatable head-protectionmember according to any of claims 1 to
 9. 11. A helmet according toclaim 10 including grommets to hold the shell and liner in registrationat the position of the ear-protective elements.